Buffalo Bills
Rex Ryan is out. Sean McDermott is in, and there is a whole new culture being established in Buffalo.
The Bills also retained quarterback Tyrod Taylor and didn’t use a high pick on a passer, instead going with a guy in Nathan Peterman in Round 5 who doesn’t immediately threaten Taylor’s starting job.
Instead, they essentially drafted Stephon Gilmore’s replacement in Tre’Davious White with their first-round pick and did a nice job adding players throughout the draft who have a chance to immediately contribute.
So, there’s a lot to like about what Buffalo has done, including a total front-office overhaul. Something had to give after the franchise missed the playoffs for yet another season last year. What we don’t yet know is whether any of these chances will lead to a successful campaign in 2017.
Will Taylor stay healthy? And if he does, will he be able to build upon the success he had last year with Anthony Lynn, who is now the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers?
Will the defense finally live up to the talent that has been assembled and emerge as a top-10 unit in 2017? Or will it continue to be an underachieving hodgepodge?
One thing that isn’t working in Buffalo’s favor is that the AFC East is currently dominated by the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins, who appear to be headed towards even bigger things than a playoff berth in 2016.
Talent-wise, the Bills have what it takes to sneak into the playoffs, especially if LeSean McCoy is the focal point of the offense. But there are many unknowns for this franchise, which could just as easily be looking at another high draft pick next spring.